Facility to create 1,000 jobs

Business

A DUBAI-based company has signed a deal with the Kumul Petroleum Holdings Ltd (KPHL) to build a fabrication facility in Port Moresby, which is expected to create 1,000 jobs initially for locals.
According to the agreement signed on Friday, the facility will be built in preparation for the construction phase of the US$10 billion (K34.25 billion) Papua LNG project.
KPHL managing director Wapu Sonk said the facility was expected to have a capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year, producing steel plus mechanical, piping and electrical modular packages.
“It is expected to provide direct employment for 1,000 skilled Papua New Guineans and indirect jobs for up to 3,000 more people when it is operating at full capacity,” he said.
“The number of jobs could double if the facility is run 24 hours per day.”
The KPHL also signed a design and engineering contract with A2Z LLC, another Dubai based engineering company.
“Kumul Petroleum and its investors are expecting to work with Papua LNG project’s EPC (engineering procurement and construction) contractors to start using the facility when the project achieves FID (final investment decision) and enters the construction phase later this year or early next year,” Sonk added. Sonk said the facility was designed to meet national content requirements for petroleum, energy, mining and major infrastructure construction.
“Site work for the construction of the facility have already begun, located close to the existing ExxonMobil-managed LNG plant,” he said.
“Kumul Petroleum will soon be advertising for trainees for the facility, through the KPHL job search and advertisement software portal and other agencies.
KPHL is encouraging interested job seekers to start applying and posting expressions of interest.